New Changing Places facility will improve experience for disabled patients
A new, state-of-the-art Changing Places facility has been fitted at Derriford Hospital, which will greatly improve the experience of disabled patients and their families, carers and support workers.
The new specialist toilet and changing facility includes a height-adjustable, adult-sized changing bench, a ceiling track hoist system, a privacy screen, shower, and, importantly, plenty of space for both the disabled person and up to two people assisting them.
“Sadly, disabled adults often have no choice but to be laid on the floor of a standard public toilet in order to have their personal care needs met,” explains Jill Singh, Independent Learning Disability Advocate. “Not only is this unhygienic and undignified, but being forced to manually transfer an adult from the floor to a wheelchair, also puts those assisting them at risk of injury.
“This new Changing Places facility will mean that people with extra care needs can be treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve, in a clean and safe environment.”
The design process for the new facility included wide consultation with patient representatives and disability support groups, in order to ensure that it meets user needs.
“The Derriford User Group (DUG) has been campaigning for a Changing Places facility for a number of years,” said Jill. “The group, made up of adults with learning disabilities who have experience of accessing the hospital as a patient, has always felt strongly that accessible facilities should be readily available.
“Our group members raised this as an issue and, not only did the hospital listen, but it also acted. It’s a huge achievement and the group are thrilled.”
Saoirse Read, Learning Disability Liaison Team Leader at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, added: “We all really appreciate the work that DUG do in their own time to improve services in the hospital for people with a disability. The new Changing Places facility is a fabulous example of this.
“The Estates and Facilities team working collaboratively with our user group members and patient representatives has made this a monumental achievement for the Trust.”
The new Changing Places facilityIn May each year, University Hospitals Plymouth undertakes its annual Patient Led Assessment of the Care Environment (PLACE). It’s led by patient assessors, who offer a non-technical view across a range of environmental aspects and observe how standards are being met that support patient privacy and dignity, food, cleanliness and general maintenance, as well as disability and dementia.
“In this year’s PLACE assessment and in previous years, the inadequate toilet facilities have been raised as an issue,” explains Sarah Widnell, Non Clinical Patient Experience and Retail Manager. “This long awaited new facility is a fantastic improvement for those with disabilities. We look forward to including them in next year’s PLACE assessment.”
The new Changing Places facility, located near the main entrance at Derriford Hospital, was formally opened earlier this week, in addition to newly refurbished toilets for use by the general public. These now feature an emergency door opening system, for use if a patient or visitor requires urgent assistance; in addition to baby changing facilities in both the male and female toilets.
“We are really pleased to announce that the modernisation of our toilet facilities in the main hospital entrance is now complete,” said Nick Thomas, Director of Planning and Site Services and Deputy Chief Executive for the Trust.
“We’d like to thank all patients and staff for their patience and understanding during the works. We believe these new facilities will enhance the experience of all our visitors.”
For further information on using the new Changing Places facility, please visit https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/disabled-facilities or contact the Parking Desk on 01752 432000.
Pictured below: Staff involved in the project gathered to formally open the new toilet facilities on Monday
